2010.12.29 01:00 - Focus, Intention, and Presence

The Guardian for this meeting was Pema Pera. The comments are by Pema Pera.

Pema Pera: Hi Susan!
Susan Aloix: :) happy holidays pema
Pema Pera: Happy holidays to you, too!
Pema Pera: how have you been?
Susan Aloix: thank you.....very well thank you Pema..yourself?
Pema Pera: busy, but happy, and now coming up for air :)
Susan Aloix: ohhh take a big breath :)
Susan Aloix: I imagine you will be busy again soon yes?
Pema Pera: :-)
Pema Pera: well, hope springs eternal . . . I keep hoping that I will be able to deal better with dividing my time over tasks -- and I am learning to do so, bit by bit
Yakuzza Lethecus: good morning
Pema Pera: the main challenge is to not try to fill your time, but only, say, 70% or 80% of your time
Pema Pera: leaving the rest for unexpected interruptions plus time for contemplation
Pema Pera: hi Yaku!
Clione Clary: helloo
Susan Aloix: pleased to hear :) ohhh i see...yeah some projects demands spaciousness - i certainly do for writing
Yakuzza Lethecus: hey clione
Susan Aloix: Hi Yaku !
Clione Clary: hi all
Susan Aloix: Hi Clione
Clione Clary: hi Susan ㋡
Pema Pera: Hi Clione!
Clione Clary: hi Pema ㋡
Pema Pera: yes, creativity only thrives when given room
Pema Pera: Clione, have you visited us before?

Susan pointed out an interesting contrast.

Susan Aloix: its interesting i listened to one Ted talks guy and he said *stay busy don't give yourself slabs of time* and then another *we need spaciousness to do important stuff, give yourself time and lay off scheduling* its hard to know who to listen to
Clione Clary: No , it's the first time i came here
Pema Pera: we get together a few times a day to chat about the nature of reality, and everything else, and we have a wiki http://wiki.playasbeing.org/ -- We record our conversations there. Do you mind being included in our blogs?
Clione Clary: of course not, but it sounds kina difficult for me to join your conversation
Pema Pera: yes, Susan, the opposite of a great truth can also be a great truth -- it all depends on the context and how you take it
Yakuzza Lethecus: i love some ted talks, i also recall a good one on the issue of ,,choice"
Pema Pera: thanks, Clione, we are an informal bunch
Susan Aloix: yes same here Yaku
Yakuzza Lethecus: http://www.ted.com/talks/barry_schwartz_on_the_paradox_of_choice.html
Pema Pera: so feel free to listen or join in the conversation as you like
Clione Clary: thanks
Clione Clary: let me just stay a bit to listen to you now then...

I shared some more background about PaB via IM with Clione, who like me was in Japan in RL.

Susan Aloix: Pema - i also think it depends on your relationship to the project(context covers it i guess)
Susan Aloix: and yes Yaku - i loved one on choice as well
Susan Aloix: i had to prepare a workshop here a little while back and because i had a difficult relationship with the project the task felt difficult and i kept avoiding doing it.
Pema Pera: we all know that one (^^)
Susan Aloix: so i was doing these three minute meditations to try and support myself through it....not sure if they helped lol
--BELL--
Pema Pera: just getting started is often half of the solution
Pema Pera: Hi Calvino!
Yakuzza Lethecus: hey cal :)
Susan Aloix: indeed :)
Calvino Rabeni: Hi Pema, Susan, and Yaku :)
Susan Aloix: Hi Cal!
Pema Pera: I very much enjoyed your reports about the SL retreat, Cal
Calvino Rabeni: Thanks Pema
Pema Pera: I'm looking forward to more of them!
Calvino Rabeni: What were you thinking about ?
Pema Pera: oh, it is such an interesting idea
Pema Pera: and I think you have just started to scratch the surface
Pema Pera: I'm curious to see what other directions it can go into
Susan Aloix: would you like to share some of it Cal? Or Pema perhaps say more about what you liked?
Pema Pera: I'm happy to leave that to Cal, he was one of the nine avatars who held a three-day retreat in SL, in the context of Play as Being
Susan Aloix: cool :)
Susan Aloix: Wishes i could have attended........
Susan Aloix: I imagine it went well.
Calvino Rabeni: The interesting issues I think are about focus, intention, and presence

 . . . which became the title of this session . . .

Calvino Rabeni: which seem to arise in the context of a retreat
Calvino Rabeni: and the quality of the space created by attention in the group
Susan Aloix: Interesting.
Calvino Rabeni: all these are a bit esoteric, in the sense that if you go to retreats you have the experiences, but otherwise may not understand what that means
Pema Pera: :-)
Yakuzza Lethecus: hey rhi
Pema Pera: hi Rhia
Rhiannon Dragoone: hi yaku
Rhiannon Dragoone: hi pema
Calvino Rabeni: Good evening Rhiannon of the Birds :)
Pema Pera: what would you have done different, Calvino, if you were to do the same retreat again?
Calvino Rabeni: I thought it was good the way it was
Susan Aloix: Yes. I notice after being on retreats .....(well residentials in particular) relational themes start to emerge......i think presence is a healing force on its own - even without moving into focus (assuming i know what you mean by focus) lol
Susan Aloix: Hi Rhia
Calvino Rabeni: but it requires a certain focus to be that way
Pema Pera: that's great, Cal!
Calvino Rabeni: and its possible it wouldn't happen in the future
Calvino Rabeni: without a little encouragement
--BELL--
Calvino Rabeni: The retreat format supports people to be more "personal" than the standard PaB meetings
Rhiannon Dragoone: Well, doesn't the effect of the retreat depend on what the retreat is about
Rhiannon Dragoone: Cal, what do you mean by personal?
Calvino Rabeni: because of the confidentiality, and the continuity of memory between the meetings, and getting to know and bond with the other attendees
Rhiannon Dragoone: What kind of retreat are we talking about?
Susan Aloix: sounds nice cal
Calvino Rabeni: We're talking about the PlayAsBeing retreat that takes place in Second Life but emulates a residential retreat
Rhiannon Dragoone: So this would be an exclusive retreat--same people and no outsiders?
Rhiannon Dragoone: I see; you would have to spend all your time there?
Rhiannon Dragoone: And be part of the group
Calvino Rabeni: Yes basically - it's open to guardian group members
Rhiannon Dragoone: i see
Rhiannon Dragoone: I thought you all had training; it shows. :)

Calvino pointed out the fluidity of our arrangements in PaB.

Calvino Rabeni: but it might change in the future - the main thing I think is for attendees to have some prior experience
Rhiannon Dragoone: Also I came across an early time i visited PaB, back when you were at Kira; far different
Calvino Rabeni: For instance all the attendees at that retreat (I think) had regular practices of a meditative or contemplative type
Calvino Rabeni: so they are more on the same page about things
Rhiannon Dragoone: So am I the only "non-guardian" here at present?
Rhiannon Dragoone: I don't mind, but this all sounds very in-groupish at the moment
Calvino Rabeni: In my opinion the retreats might be open to other people than guardians if they had other retreat experiences that seem compatible
Pema Pera: Calvino, Yaku and I are guardians
Rhiannon Dragoone: isn't Susan also a guradian?
Pema Pera: I don't think you are, aren't you, Susan?
Susan Aloix: < non-guardian :)
Pema Pera: there is no formal procedure to become a guardian
Rhiannon Dragoone: Still, it sounds like atm, non-guardians woudn't have much to contribute to the discussion
Pema Pera: in practice, if somebody comes often, then after a while someone proposes him or her to become a guardian, and if there is a consensus, then that person is invited
Pema Pera: why do you think so, Rhia?
Rhiannon Dragoone: Well, we haven't been to the retreat, and that is the topic of conversation
Rhiannon Dragoone: We don't share the same experiences
Yakuzza Lethecus whispers clione IMed and told me to say hi from her because she crashed and will have dinner soon

as I would, in a little while :-)

Pema Pera: oh, but of the 60 or so guardians, only 9 have gone to the retreat we were talking about
Yakuzza Lethecus: bye
Yakuzza Lethecus: i mean
Rhiannon Dragoone: Say hi to her back, Yaku
Rhiannon Dragoone: I'm talking 'bout those present here
Pema Pera: only Cal was present at the retreat, Rhia
Pema Pera: all the others were not
Rhiannon Dragoone: I am glad that you all have training; i sensed that
Pema Pera: so not to worry :-)
Rhiannon Dragoone: Well, what about the retreat would apply to other retreats that we might have experienced?
Rhiannon Dragoone: hi 0
Yakuzza Lethecus: hey sam
Pema Pera: hi O !
Rhiannon Dragoone: The retreats I've been to were problem solving ones; we worked as a team
Susan Aloix: Hi Samuo :)
Pema Pera: Susan, can you say more about presence being a healing force, during a retreat?
Rhiannon Dragoone: My gf was at a religious retreat; where there were seminars on Biblical roles of women, discussions on witnessing, singing
--BELL--
Susan Aloix: Presence to me is the practice of being aware of self and other - of a sensitivity to ones somatic experience and the sensing of other as if *part of self*........in that very practice alone (before focus, before goal...before intention arguably) is a being alive to itself in relationship to other...i always know when i am in the midst of presence....and it tends to the fertile ground out of which things like focus immerge.........focus then becomes mutually negotiated ...and presence is the place one returns to when focus dominates in leading a group....i think the two interpenetrate
Calvino Rabeni: Nicely put Susan ...:)

indeed!  A very nice summary in only a few lines.

Rhiannon Dragoone: Presence as interactive; i've always thought of it as a kind of proprioceptics, but yes, in interprsonal relationships, presence could be being aware of the others' feelings and interests
Susan Aloix: a bit wordy....lol but ty cal
Rhiannon Dragoone: Susan, it got me to think; but it doesn't distinguish the retreat experience from any other social gathering for me
Rhiannon Dragoone: I mean presence, or its absence, would be felt here as well
Rhiannon Dragoone: I am fully present at my discussions, to herd cats
Pema Pera: I think you touched upon some of the essence of presence, Susan
Susan Aloix: presence is always *in relation to*
Rhiannon Dragoone: I think she did, Pema
Rhiannon Dragoone: Susan, in relation to, but not necessarily in negotiation with, or sensitive to
Calvino Rabeni: It's in-relation-to, but that may be to oneself also
Rhiannon Dragoone: That is the first time i heard presence defined in that way
Calvino Rabeni: it doesn't mean strictly interpersonal
Calvino Rabeni: I think it can also be seen as involving specific qualities of consciousness
Rhiannon Dragoone: yes, the idea of focus; being fully focused, and defocused too
Calvino Rabeni: Well, words like open space have been used
Calvino Rabeni: I was looking at various other definitions
Calvino Rabeni: some very "masculine" in style, some "feminine" (to use a distinction that isn't really gendered)
Rhiannon Dragoone: I'm looking at how presence is defined in terms of practical living, martial arts, other areas where lack of focus means a kind of alienation
Pema Pera: I especially like your two points, Susan, about the somatic component, and the fact that you *know* about presence, before thinking/talking about it
Rhiannon Dragoone: Presence is actively engaged in for the "present," and sensed by those around him or her
Calvino Rabeni: A component is awareness-of-awareness
Rhiannon Dragoone: At the retreats I've been too, it's almost a feral thing; you're present with people who are requiring certain things of you and you become wary; and from wariness to "presence."
Calvino Rabeni: and the somatic sense unifies many of the processes of mind that would otherwise be dissociated
Susan Aloix: I think in a group retreat....you have *group presence* emerge.....i think an essential human experience most of us lack any opportunity to experience.........
Pema Pera: yes!
Calvino Rabeni: Yes that's important
Pema Pera: it's a kind of magic

Calvino quoted from the SL retreat.

Calvino Rabeni: In the retreat we called it the "9 headed being"
Calvino Rabeni: the collective mind
Susan Aloix: Yeah magic. Nice cal.
Calvino Rabeni: The sense of relaxation and settling / grounding / safety are important for the emergence of deeper senses of presence
Rhiannon Dragoone: That's assuming that the other people at the retreat are friendly toward you.
Calvino Rabeni: Yes
Rhiannon Dragoone: If you come in witrh like mind, even then, there could be alienation
Rhiannon Dragoone: But without like mind, there is wariness at retreats
Rhiannon Dragoone: You don't quite know what this "group emergence," is going to do to you
Calvino Rabeni: The potential is for a dynamic shift of that sense of identity
Calvino Rabeni: sometimes called metanoia
Calvino Rabeni: And its a subtle chemistry
Susan Aloix: groups can be scary and wariness is very common....nods Rhia....yes
Rhiannon Dragoone: What techniques did they use in yhour retreat to bring about metanoia, Cal
Calvino Rabeni: Short meditations
Rhiannon Dragoone: You see, i have no idea what kind of retreat experience we are talking about; i can only draw upon my own experiences
Calvino Rabeni: taking turns speaking, with good listening from the group
Rhiannon Dragoone: Meditations, Cal, are very private things; how do they promote bonding?
Calvino Rabeni: Very much so, Rhia
Calvino Rabeni: they aren't really private
--BELL--
Calvino Rabeni: if you hang out with people and get into a relaxed and open state of mind, its bonding
Rhiannon Dragoone: You have to trust the people to begin with, Cal
Yakuzza Lethecus: hey boxy :)
Rhiannon Dragoone: Hi Alfred!
Alfred Kelberry: snowflakes! :)
Calvino Rabeni: For an analogy, if you have a friend, and "let down" enough for instance by sleeping together, it promotes a kind of intimacy and bonding too.
Alfred Kelberry: hello, pablings :)
oO0Oo Resident: :) boxy
Rhiannon Dragoone: boxy, yes, but they're not dropping directly on me, this time
Calvino Rabeni: Trust is negotiated and dependent on the quality of contact, within certain limits
Pema Pera: time for dinner for me . . . hello and goodby, Alfred!
Alfred Kelberry: :)
Rhiannon Dragoone: Cal, sounds like you got that out of a textbook for 'Trust 101'
Rhiannon Dragoone: TC Pema
Yakuzza Lethecus: bon appetit pema
oO0Oo Resident: bye Pema
Pema Pera: bfn

I took off, so I will leave the rest of the log uncommented.

Calvino Rabeni: I got it from years of experience, Rhi
Rhiannon Dragoone: My point is that what does that really mean?
Rhiannon Dragoone: Cal, but still, what does it mean?
Calvino Rabeni: Textbook has nothing to do with it :)
Rhiannon Dragoone: Cal, my point was that it was abstract, devoid of meaning, without a practical context
Alfred Kelberry: cal's just written that book :)
Susan Aloix: Hi Boxy
Alfred Kelberry: hi :)
Calvino Rabeni: The context is precisely, the setting and the participants
Rhiannon Dragoone groans
Rhiannon Dragoone: Could you be specific, Cal
Alfred Kelberry: cal, could you please repeat the "sleeping together" part. i missed that :)
Rhiannon Dragoone: Give an example of the process from what your years of experience has taught you
Susan Aloix: sleeping together? i missed that too
Rhiannon Dragoone: hi Tungst!
Calvino Rabeni: Yes, there were 9 people at the retreat, and they participated in a specific event, and what happened there with respect to presence and bonding follows what people have recognized to be certain general patterns
Yakuzza Lethecus: hello tungsten
Calvino Rabeni: I used "sleeping with a friend and bonding" as an analogy to the retreat setting
Susan Aloix: Hi Tungst
oO0Oo Resident tips hat to tungsten
Rhiannon Dragoone: Well, what event; i once was at a workshop where we all had to move this long tube, and could only do it gogether; not singly
Alfred Kelberry: cal, yes, that makes sense
Rhiannon Dragoone: boxy not to me, it is still vague
Susan Aloix: :)
Alfred Kelberry: rhia, pab retreat is not exactly a team building session :)
Calvino Rabeni: Rhia was stating an opinion that meditation is a very private thing, as if it is separate, and people that go to group meditation sessions often experience otherwise
Calvino Rabeni: that it's not private, its like they are in a pool together
Alfred Kelberry: cal, if a group is of 50 people then yes :)
Calvino Rabeni: A group of 1 is enough :)
Alfred Kelberry: pab retreat's small number of participants keep it cosy and intimate
oO0Oo Resident: allowing layers to potentially fall away, leaving presence and potentially, trust
Calvino Rabeni: * Sam
oO0Oo Resident: willing to be naked
Calvino Rabeni: Or a bit more unguarded
Alfred Kelberry: or simply willing to share
Calvino Rabeni: share in a certain way .. yes
Susan Aloix: 1 person does not constitute a group...you at least need your laptop and your pixel body sitting in a group of more than two lol
oO0Oo Resident: :)
Calvino Rabeni: Actually Susan, 1 person is a group that includes the world and the environment plus one individual ... the mental process has a lot in common
oO0Oo Resident: what seems one, might be aggregate
Calvino Rabeni: with 2 people and more
Calvino Rabeni: Especially if environmental and nature awareness is part of what the people allow and practice
Susan Aloix: lol cal....In the social sciences a group can be defined as two or more humans who interact with one another, accept expectations and obligations as members of the group, and share a common identity.
Susan Aloix: (wiki)
Calvino Rabeni: yes, that's a bit rigid in my view
Calvino Rabeni: its definitional of groups, but not so much of experiences
Alfred Kelberry: it's a formal study, it has to be rigid :)
oO0Oo Resident: cold buns on the earth, warm heart toward the sky
Susan Aloix: when i wake up in the morning alone i am not in a group lol
Calvino Rabeni: yes, it's good for academics
Rhiannon Dragoone: Well, boxy that's my point; i don't know what kiind of retreat experience we are talking about; i've been to team building ones;
Calvino Rabeni: but we're talking a bit more than that
--BELL--
Rhiannon Dragoone: And meditation can be shared, i suppose, by tgalking about it, but it is still focusing on what is within
Susan Aloix: i know...i was being playful......
Alfred Kelberry: :)
Alfred Kelberry: cal's been played :)
Rhiannon Dragoone: hi Dana
Calvino Rabeni: When you wake up in the morning, there's mother earth, your animal friends, etc.
Yakuzza Lethecus: hello dana
oO0Oo Resident: nice image Cal
Susan Aloix: mother earth mother earth :) nice
Calvino Rabeni: Rhia, the whole rhetoric of "within" is very misleading
Rhiannon Dragoone: i still think there has to be other techniques to bring out this trust and bonding; meditation wouldn't be enough; if it seems enough that's because it presupposes some common bonding is already there
oO0Oo Resident: hi Dana
Susan Aloix: Hi Dana
Dana Luckless: hi sorry i was afk for a bit
Rhiannon Dragoone: its fine, Dana; i was too
Alfred Kelberry: cal, i appreciate this view, but most people tend to rigid thinking :)
Calvino Rabeni: It's a misconception to think that meditation focuses on what is "within"
Rhiannon Dragoone: Cal, depends on the meditation, if you try fore the classdic "relaxation response," it's all inworld
Rhiannon Dragoone: If you're practicing a kata, which can be considered moving meditation, then proprioceptics is crucial
Calvino Rabeni: that's about immediate focus perhaps, but meditation also has longer term effects
Rhiannon Dragoone: So far, all i'm hearing is that a group of peopole sat around meditating and thinking 'oooh, i'm vulnerable now; i am bonding.'
oO0Oo Resident: there are hundreds of meditation techniques.
Rhiannon Dragoone: And how does that distinguish from sitting, say, on a double decker boss and talking about the sports section?
Alfred Kelberry: cal, i think the word itself has a rather negative "spiritual" connotation
Calvino Rabeni: I don't use the word very often
Rhiannon Dragoone: boxy, not negative, and not even spiritual
Rhiannon Dragoone: All I'm trying to do is get a handle on what goes on at a retreat.
oO0Oo Resident: like the word 'trust', it bears closer examination
Rhiannon Dragoone: Cal, you used it just now to describe something to me; and you've left out a *lot* to the description
Alfred Kelberry: rhia, you could have just asked :)
Rhiannon Dragoone: boxy, i did; that's how this whole conversation got started.
Alfred Kelberry: btw, you're all grey to me :/
Rhiannon Dragoone: oh, you sweet talking you, boxy
Rhiannon Dragoone: Everyone is rezzed to me, for a change
Alfred Kelberry: :)
oO0Oo Resident: interesting how architecture engenders space for retreat, presence, sfe feeling etc
oO0Oo Resident: safe*
Calvino Rabeni: It is interesting
oO0Oo Resident: environment
Rhiannon Dragoone: Yes, archetecture is a technique that is used in retreats
Susan Aloix: yes.....trees...natural settings help to create safety for me
oO0Oo Resident nods
Alfred Kelberry: i prefer mountains :)
Susan Aloix: mountains work too
Rhiannon Dragoone: So now i have a vision of 9 ppl sitting around meditating, but in a natural setting with trees, and an archetectural design of some sort
Calvino Rabeni: a certain amount of predictability and regularity helps - also known as ritual
Rhiannon Dragoone: mountains are always good for spirituality
Rhiannon Dragoone: Ritual is good for a retreat
oO0Oo Resident: and perhaps a reference/s to a view
Susan Aloix: i think the *departure* ritual is very important.....*transitions* are the places where we are at our most *changed* and most *vulnerable* (in a good way) as we reemerge into world outside the retreat
Calvino Rabeni: Aesthetics, a clear, uncluttered environment, a certain distance from busy places, maybe a high elevation, higher ceilings, few distrations, distance from "information" .. all are traditional qualities of design for retreat settings
Rhiannon Dragoone: And what would be one, Susan?
Calvino Rabeni: Arriving and daparting transitions - yes very important
Susan Aloix: i think the best rituals emerge organically from those present rhia
Alfred Kelberry: meditation in a rural chinese cafe might be fun too :)
--BELL--
Rhiannon Dragoone: Susan, that may be so, but an example would still clairfy
Alfred Kelberry: i don't think isolation is a requirement
Calvino Rabeni: PlayAsBeing has experimented with both rural and urban retreat settings
Rhiannon Dragoone: boxy, actually i think it is--that sense of apartness is important for the ritual of feeling that you got something spiritual out of it
Rhiannon Dragoone: You can be isolated in an urban setting
Alfred Kelberry: one ritual is brushing your teeth before you go to bed :)
Susan Aloix: but some elements you could include would be to honor the old...the new...and the changed...........talk about the ways in which the new part of self will be supported in the world we are returning to....
Calvino Rabeni: I've done retreats on Telegraph Avenue in Berkeley, with busses and boomcars and the works ...
Calvino Rabeni: Yes that helps
Calvino Rabeni: and basically, just taking it gradually
Rhiannon Dragoone: It's a spiritual space you need for the isolation; like the Muslim's prayer rug, only larger, encompassing more people
Susan Aloix: yeah rhia *separating off* from the world is essential to the re-treat
Calvino Rabeni: on longer retreats, sometimes people get a kind of emotional high and then with an abrupt transition to their normal routine, a bit of a backlash
Calvino Rabeni: but it can be eased by taking a couple days off after the retreat and before jumping back in
Rhiannon Dragoone: Well, i notice that i'ts sunset here, and it's really late for me; speaking of retreating from the world
Calvino Rabeni: (if it's a long retreat)
Rhiannon Dragoone: I've enjoyed the company and the convo, and it's been clarifying. But i have to go
Susan Aloix: yes cal...i hear that over and over......that retreats can fail to help the reintegration
Susan Aloix: :) goodnight rhia
Alfred Kelberry: i don't think separation is essential. you can find spirutiality anywhere. it may be cluttered in a big city, but it is there. you just have to see it :)
oO0Oo Resident: could be seen as a kind of training, first supported by more form and lack of distal stimuli, to gradually enable workability with all kinds of settings and people and forms
Calvino Rabeni: TC Rhia :)
Rhiannon Dragoone: :) goodnight, Susan
Alfred Kelberry: bye, rhia
Rhiannon Dragoone: TC Cal
Rhiannon Dragoone: bye boxy
Calvino Rabeni: Yes Sam
oO0Oo Resident: bye rhi
Rhiannon Dragoone: bye Samud
Rhiannon Dragoone waves and poofs
oO0Oo Resident: and poofs with style
Alfred Kelberry: ommm... :)
Alfred Kelberry: ok, i'm off as well
oO0Oo Resident: hehe
Alfred Kelberry: thank you for the company :)
oO0Oo Resident: wishing you mountains boxy
Alfred Kelberry: thanks :)
Susan Aloix: bye bye boxy :)
oO0Oo Resident thinks about the phrase "being there for others"
Susan Aloix: smiles at the phrase
Calvino Rabeni: yes so did I :)
Calvino Rabeni: Where did that come up from, Sam?
Calvino Rabeni: It referenced back to the retreat setting for me
oO0Oo Resident: It came up for me, feeling the presence, the silence, the support
oO0Oo Resident: the willingness to just be together
Susan Aloix: nice
--BELL--
Susan Aloix: well said Sam
oO0Oo Resident: ty :)
oO0Oo Resident: Susan, what you said about "departure ritual", being a point of vulnerability, reminded me of how I feel when I transition from here, these meetings, and how I work with the edge of wanting to stay or go.
Susan Aloix: Smiles and nods Samuo. I think transitions are deeply felt - much is happening in those moments - and i share with you a sensitivity to them. I like how you shared that Samuo. I'm sure others have similar experiences
oO0Oo Resident: sorry in a way to bring it up. It may heighten discomfort I suppose.
Calvino Rabeni: not at all Sam.. but I know what you mean
oO0Oo Resident: ty
Susan Aloix: With one retreat I co-ordinated here in Rl ten years ago....we plaited soft colored woolen bracelets onto each other a the beginning ritual...and upon leaving committed to wearing the bracelets as a way of remaining connected to the *clan*. It was very supportive for me. I still have a rock from that retreat which is so special to me.
oO0Oo Resident: thank you for weaving that into this here and now
Susan Aloix: No I think its really special that you recognise it Samuo. Perhaps we could finish this sitting with a small ritual 3 min meditation as a transition ritual? when we about to depart?
Calvino Rabeni: I went to a retreat that had and ending ritual ... well many do, forming a final circle before disbanding, but in this one which took place outside, we made the circle gradually bigger and called across it, finally having the feeling that even wherevery we went in life the circle was somehow still there
oO0Oo Resident: sure. That would be nice
Calvino Rabeni: Sounds good
Susan Aloix: okay.....lets do a meditation now? three mins ?
Susan Aloix: (lovely cal...i love the sounds of that)
--BELL--
oO0Oo Resident: yo will keep time susan?
oO0Oo Resident: you*
Susan Aloix: yes i can ......:) is three mins ok?
Yakuzza Lethecus: yes
oO0Oo Resident: sure
Susan Aloix: okay......:) are you ready cal?
Calvino Rabeni: YES
Susan Aloix: :) okay......starting now....i will place a dot in text in three mins....as you come back just place a dot in text....we can then sit for a further one min together in silence?
Susan Aloix: starting now :)
Calvino Rabeni: k
oO0Oo Resident: k
Susan Aloix: k start :)
Susan Aloix: .
Susan Aloix: :)
oO0Oo Resident: ty
Calvino Rabeni: that was good :)
Susan Aloix: ty Samuo....i really appreciated a soft transition
Calvino Rabeni: nods same here
oO0Oo Resident: ty Yaku for holding the vast expanse of space
Susan Aloix: apprecaited you grounding the topic with your own experience in the here and now....we are all benefiting from it :)
Calvino Rabeni: nods ... was thinking the same
--BELL--
oO0Oo Resident: Thak you for this opportunity. I shall take the plaiting, the stone, the circle, the space, the presence, the trust, the bonding, from this retreat space, to share with a broader sphere. Goodbye for now friends.
Yakuzza Lethecus: take care sam
Susan Aloix: be well sam :) nice to meet you
Calvino Rabeni: Goodbye Sam.. Dream well
oO0Oo Resident: ty